Outreach Health Education

Don’t see what you’re looking for? To see about a program designed specifically for your audience, please contact Holly at (309) 692-6650 or hbill@hulthealthy.org.

General Health Outreach Programs:

Your Amazing Body!: Pre-K. Your Amazing Body! is a five-part series that highlights the wonders of the human body. Our professional health educators will provide four programs on-site in each classroom. Programs will emphasize the brain, heart, lungs, and teeth. Following the on-site component of the program, students will come to the Hult Center where education comes alive in our teaching theaters. Lessons will be reinforced and student interest will be captured by larger-than-life displays, and interactive models that can be explored. Students will meet Mary the Mandible, TAM (our Transparent Anatomical Manikin), and Mr. Seemore Bones. This multisensory approach is designed to enhance overall retention of the material. All programs will be approximately 30 minutes in length and utilize methods and materials appropriate for the pre-school child. Teachers will be provided with materials to use in the classroom after the program to reinforce the lessons. Hult Center staff will conduct a knowledge-based pre- and post-assessment on a random sample of students to measure program effectiveness and learning outcomes.

Your Hardy Heart: Pre-K. Students will learn all about their hardy heart and its incredible talents in this prop-driven program. Students have the opportunity to listen to their own heart beat with the use of stethoscopes and learn why their heart beats faster when they exercise. Focus is placed on keeping your heart healthy. (30 minutes)

Your Lovely Lungs: Pre-K. Students will learn all about their lovely lungs in this fun, interactive program. Students will learn how strong their lungs really are through activities and exercise, and how to keep their lungs healthy by never smoking. They will even see the true effects of tobacco with our REAL pig lungs! (30 minutes)

Your Beautiful Brain: Pre-K. Students will learn all about their beautiful brain and five senses in this fun, interactive program. They will participate in multisensory activities such as “feely bags” to explore their sense of touch, and “rattle boxes” to test their sense of hearing. Focus is placed on keeping your brain healthy. (30 minutes)

Tooth or Consequences: Grades Pre-K to 1. Proper brushing and flossing techniques, food groups, healthy vs. unhealthy snacks, importance of regular dental checkups. Each child will also receive his or her own dental health bag including a new toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss! (35 minutes)

Teen Talk: Grades 9 to 12. Typically combined as a two-day outreach program with “ABCs of STDs,” the “Teen Talk” program discusses teen pregnancy, as well as other student-driven topics. The students are combined in groups to discuss how they would handle real-life situations in dealing with prescription drugs, date rape, mental health concerns and more. Emphasis is placed on seeking resources in the community for each of the scenarios. (45 minutes)

Mental Health Outreach Programs

Youth Mental Health Matters: Grades 6-9.This program is provided through collaboration between the Hult Center for Healthy Living and the Center for Prevention of Abuse to provide mental health education and awareness for students. The program covers a variety of mental health topics and also provides the opportunity for students to request additional counseling services. Sessions vary by grade level and include a variety of topics:

6th grade: Two day program covering the topics of anger management, conflict resolution, & bullying

7th grade: Two day program covering the topics of suicide & depression

8th grade: Three day program covering the topics of self-esteem, body image & eating disorders, as well as self-reflection & trust building

One important component of the program is the provision of an outreach mental health counselor who acts as a “safety net” for students who indicate a need for counseling. This mental health counselor works with school counselors to ensure that any students who are struggling will get the help they need.

Social Emotional Learning: Grades 1-6. This program is customizable for each school and utilizes the PATHS (Promoting Alternative THinking Strategies) curriculum to provide age-appropriate education in a variety of topics in order to promote social and emotional competence and reduce behavior problems in young children. Areas of focus vary by grade level and include a variety of topics including: building empathy, emotion management, problem solving, manners, friendship skills, self-control, enhancing organizational skills, respecting others, and bullying prevention. Number and length of sessions varies by school.